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Level 1

15 points

Library can't upgrade to iPhoto '11, can't rebuild Library either.

After recently installing iLife '11, my iPhoto Library became unusable. When I OK'd iPhoto to "upgrade" my library, it started the process and then presented an error message "iPhoto is unable to open this Library".

I couldn't rebuild the Library either. So I was able to "downgrade" back to iPhoto '09 and restored my Library from an older backup (a couple days old). I simply moved iPhoto '11 to the desktop, deleted iPhoto prefs, and reinstalled iPhoto '09 from disc. My intention was to use iPhoto '09 to rebuild the library and then upgrade again. After reinstalling iPhoto '09, I can open my iPhoto library just fine. Appears to be normal. However, when I try to "rebuild" the library, iPhoto instantly quits. No error messages or anything. Just quits.

I downloaded iPhoto Library Manager hoping that it may allow me to rebuild the library. When I try to do that, it prompts me to use iPhoto 9.0 ('11) to upgrade the library before I rebuild. It appears that my Mac (at least iPhoto Library Manager) still thinks iPhoto 9.0 ('11) is installed. I'm positive that iPhoto 8.1 is installed, and that's what's in my Applications folder. That's what is successfully opening my iPhoto library. Any ideas on how I can rebuild this Library in '09 so that I can try to "upgrade" again?

Running on new iMac with 10.6.4 installed.

Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPod Video, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 21, 2010 3:55 PM

49 replies

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,338 points

Oct 27, 2011 5:37 AM in response to Schnuffel

Option 1

Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.

If that fails:

Option 2

Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.

Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .

Regards

Oct 27, 2011 7:57 AM in response to OSU-Mac

Thanks Terence,

what do you mean in option 1 with using the library from the automatic backup? Is this the time-machine backup or do there any other backup files exist?

In addition I used the Library Manager and made a 1:1 copy of my old library, but the same failure occurs.

Regards,

Thomas

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,338 points

Oct 27, 2011 8:18 AM in response to Schnuffel

what do you mean in option 1 with using the library from the automatic backup?

It's an option in the dialogue you get in when you hold the command and alt keys on launch.

Is this the time-machine backup or do there any other backup files exist?

It's a back up of a single specific file in your Library.

In addition I used the Library Manager and made a 1:1 copy of my old library, but the same failure occurs.

But I believe the instructions say to use the Rebuild command in Library Manager, no?

Regards

cap_n

Level 1

0 points

Apr 14, 2012 4:54 AM in response to Chip George

Thanks Chip George! Dragging the iPhoto Library Backup to the iPhoto '11 app worked for me!

It puzzles me that my iPhoto Library Backup is bigger than my iPhoto Library... 😕

Library can't upgrade to iPhoto '11, can't rebuild Library either.